Monday, April 4, 2016

To celebrate the launch of my book, Kid Chef, here is a little video for one of the recipes - shakshuka! My cookbook is now available at booksellers nationwide. You can also order it on Amazon, at a can't-be-beat rate. I feel like such a proud mama!! We had a lot of fun shooting this little movie, so much so that we'll be making more soon… ;)

I could not have done it without my incredible team at Sonoma Press. Thank you Meg, for giving me the space to create a work which has become so much greater than the sum of its parts! Now, the book will go out into the world like a kid on her first day at school. I hope she will find a vast and welcoming community as she finds her way!

There is much in the pages of my book, laid-out as part culinary school and part recipes. Anyone who is passionate about food, young or old, will find Kid Chef a valuable resource to turn to again and again. Whether you find pieces such as "9 Steps That Will Make you a Good Cook" helpful or inspiring, or declare recipes like the colorful Fresh Fish Tacos (strong steady in my home) your new love, Kid Chef has something for everyone.

As the Kid Chef community grows, use the hashtag #kidchefcookbook to share your stories on Facebook and Instagram. See you all soon!

Note: to sear effectively, you may set off your smoke detector - take precaution and deactivate it in advance, as well as open a nearby window for better ventilation.
Remove lamb from refrigerator at least 20 minutes before cooking to allow to come to room temp. Season both sides of the lamb with s+p and sumac. Set aside.

In a screaming-hot pan set over medium-high heat, swirl olive oil to coat and add the alliums. Sear, turning once they have softened a bit and begin to brown in spots. Turn occasionally so that all surfaces get contact with the hot pan surface. Total sear time will be 3-4 minutes. Transfer scallions and ramps to a serving platter.

In the same pan, add another glug of oil, swirl, and sear meat 4-5 minutes over medium-high heat. Press on the meat directly around the bones for even browning. Turn to second side. For medium doneness, which retains its juiciness but isn't as much work to chew, sear meat on second side for an additional 4-5 minutes.

Transfer lamb to serving platter and pour deglazing liquid into pan. It should bubble like crazy - as it does, free any browned bits stuck to the pan by scraping the surface, letting the liquid reduce by half. This should take only a minute with the pan this hot.

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About Me

I am a food and still life photographer, with a little travel and lifestyle thrown into the mix. My passion for all things visual brought me here, and my penchant for eating well has helped me hone my skills at sourcing, cooking, and styling most of what you see.
This blog is the latest in my adventures in food - whether a new ingredient I've discovered, someone who inspires my outlook, or a tasty meal I found time and fortune to create. If asked about what you last made for yourself, think about it as if it speaks to your deepest self – after all, that’s what eating and making food is about.

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If you wish to use my photos or content, please credit me wherever they are placed. For commercial use of my content, please contact me about licensing agreements and rates via email at info@melinaphotos.com. Thank you!